BACKGROUND: The portal vein (PV) diameter increases in humans with portal hypertension (PH). However, there is no evidence of PV enlargement in dogs with PH. OBJECTIVES: To measure the PV-to-aorta (PV/Ao) ratio in dogs with PH (chronic hepatitis [CH], primary hypoplasia of the PV [PHPV]), in dogs with extrahepatic congenital portosystemic shunt (EH-CPSS), and in healthy dogs, and to evaluate the relationship between PV/Ao ratio and splenic pulp pressure (SPP). ANIMALS: Twenty-five dogs with acquired portosystemic collaterals (APSCs; 15 with CH, 10 with PHPV), 32 dogs with EH-CPSS, and 20 healthy dogs...

BACKGROUND: Both elevated homocysteine and decreased folic acid concentrations are observed in human patients with hypothyroidism and can influence the development of numerous secondary disorders. OBJECTIVES: The aim of the study was to assess total homocysteine concentration in serum and to examine its relationship with the concentration of folic acid and thyroid hormones (tT4 and fT4). ANIMALS: Ten healthy and 19 hypothyroid client-owned dogs...

BACKGROUND: A hyperbolic relationship between β-cell response and insulin sensitivity (IS) has been described in several species including rodents, dogs, and humans. This relationship has not been elucidated in the horse. HYPOTHESIS/OBJECTIVES: To determine whether the hyperbolic relationship between β-cell response and IS exists in horses by using indices of β-cell response from the oral sugar test (OST) and IS measurements from the euglycemic hyperinsulinemic clamp (EHC)...

BACKGROUND: Deployment of the Amplatz Canine Duct Occluder (ACDO) is the preferred method for minimally invasive occlusion of patent ductus arteriosus (PDA) in dogs, with appropriate device sizing crucial to successful closure. Dogs of any body weight can be affected by PDA. OBJECTIVES: To describe the range of ACDO sizes deployed in dogs of various body weights for improved procedural planning and inventory selection and to investigate for correlation between minimal ductal diameter (MDD) and body weight...

Hepatocutaneous syndrome (HS) is an uncommon skin disorder that occurs in conjunction with liver disease and is diagnosed based on decreased plasma concentrations of amino acids and the histopathology of skin lesions. The survival period generally is <6 months. A 10-year-old castrated male Maltese dog was presented for evaluation of lethargy, polyuria, polydipsia, and skin lesions including alopecia, erythema, and crusts. Based on increased liver enzyme activity, low plasma amino acid concentrations, and findings from liver cytology and skin biopsy, the dog was diagnosed with HS...

BACKGROUND: Ciprofloxacin generic tablets approved for human use frequently are administered to dogs for treatment of bacterial infections because they are inexpensive and readily available. However, previous work indicated low and variable oral absorption in healthy research dogs. OBJECTIVE: To examine orally administered ciprofloxacin in a group of clinical canine patients using population pharmacokinetics in order to identify minimum inhibitory concentrations (MIC) that potentially could be achieved with orally administered ciprofloxacin in dogs...

BACKGROUND: The European Veterinary Renal Pathology Service (EVRPS) is the first Web-based registry for canine renal biopsy specimens in Europe. HYPOTHESIS/OBJECTIVES: The aim was to verify whether differences exist between the clinical and laboratory presentation of dogs with nephropathy according to renal pathological findings, as defined by light and electron microscopy of renal biopsy specimens submitted to EVRPS. ANIMALS: Renal biopsy specimens of dogs were collected from the archive of the service (n = 254)...

BACKGROUND: Bacterial cholecystitis often is diagnosed by combination of gallbladder ultrasound (US) findings and positive results of bile culture. The value of gallbladder US in determining the likelihood of bile bacterial infection in cats and dogs with suspected biliary disease is unknown. HYPOTHESIS/OBJECTIVES: To determine the value of gallbladder US in predicting bile bacterial culture results, identify most common bacterial isolates from bile, and describe complications after cholecystocentesis in cats and dogs with suspected hepatobiliary disease...

BACKGROUND: Synbiotics often are prescribed to limit antibiotic-associated gastrointestinal signs (AAGS) in cats, but data to support this recommendation are lacking. OBJECTIVE: To determine whether synbiotic co-administration mitigates AAGS in healthy research cats treated with clindamycin. ANIMALS: 16 healthy research cats. METHODS: A randomized, double-blinded, placebo-controlled, 2-way, 2-period, crossover study with a 6-week washout was performed...

A 6-year old male neutered Scottish Terrier was referred with a 1 week history of progressive lethargy and anorexia. Neurological examination localized a lesion to the forebrain and hormonal testing showed panhypopituitarism. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) of the brain revealed a rounded, well-defined, suprasellar central mass. The mass was slightly hyperintense to the cortical grey matter on T2-weighted (T2W), hypointense on T1-weighted (T1W) images and without T2* signal void. There was a central fusiform enhancement of the mass after contrast administration which raised the suspicion of a pituitary neoplasm...

BACKGROUND: Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) is recognized as a cause of nosocomial infections in both human and veterinary medicine. Studies that examine the nasopharynx and guttural pouches of the horse as carriage sites for MRSA have not been reported. HYPOTHESIS/OBJECTIVE: MRSA colonizes the nasopharynx and guttural pouch of horses. To determine the prevalence of MRSA in equine nasopharyngeal wash (NPW) and guttural pouch lavage (GPL) samples in a field population of horses...

BACKGROUND: Longitudinal evaluation of plasma endogenous ACTH concentration in clinically normal horses has not been investigated in the Southern Hemisphere. OBJECTIVES: To longitudinally determine monthly upper reference limits for plasma ACTH in 2 disparate Australian geographic locations and to examine whether location affected the circannual rhythm of endogenous ACTH in the 2 groups of horses over a 12-month period. ANIMALS: Clinically normal horses <20 years of age from 4 properties (institutional herd and client owned animals) in Perth (n = 40) and Townsville (n = 41) were included in the study...